Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal

Gestart door Ace1, 07/03/2013 | 23:46 uur

Ace1

Airbus Helicopters drops new engine from H225 upgrade

05 FEBRUARY, 2016 BY: DOMINIC PERRY LONDON
Airbus Helicopters plans to deliver the first upgraded H225 heavy twin to launch customer Lease Corp International in early 2017, but has dropped an uprated engine from the package of enhancements and scaled back a planned weight increase.

Launched in February 2014 as the EC225e, the helicopter was due for certification in late 2015 and was intended to use a new variant of the Turbomeca Makila powerplant, the 2B.

This promised a payload boost of 550kg – bringing the H225's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) closer to that of the rival Sikorsky S-92 – and allowing a radius-of-action increase by 50nm (92km) with 19 passengers, or by 300nm with 10 passengers and an additional fuel tank.

However, faced with an oil and gas market in crisis, Airbus Helicopters late last year took the decision to ditch the new engine on cost grounds, instead relying on the current Makila 2A1.

It believes sufficient performance gains can be achieved using other elements of the enhancement package, without requiring work to integrate a new powerplant.

Turbomeca says it has now frozen development of the 2B variant, despite flight tests having begun in 2014. It featured a new combustion chamber and high-pressure turbine blades for increased take-off performance and payload capability.

As a result of the decision, MTOW on the H225 will now increase to 11,160kg (24,600lb) – a rise of just 160kg over the previous figure – still allowing the optional installation of an extra fuel tank.

That maintains the proposed radius-of-action increase with 10 passengers, although with 19 passengers Airbus Helicopters simply says it allows around 20min of additional flight time.

The airframer is still proceeding with an avionics upgrade for the type, however. A key element of that – available as an option for oil and gas operators – is its new Rig 'N' Fly system, that allows automated approaches to offshore platforms.

This has now gained certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency and will also be available on the H175 from end-2016, and the developmental H160.

Rig 'N' Fly uses a combination of sensors to enhance flight precision and situational awareness for automatic visual and instrument rig approaches.

Airbus says the system improves safety by reducing pilot workload.

Marie-Agnes Veve, head of the H225 programme, says: "With the Rig 'N' Fly, almost the entire approach procedure is automated, a key element in ensuring that our customers have the right technologies for safe, smooth and efficient flights."

The avionics upgrade also includes the introduction of required navigation performance approach capability.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-helicopters-drops-new-engine-from-h225-upgrad-421657/

JdL

Citaat van: Thomasen op 04/02/2016 | 22:50 uur
Niet zozeer Polen, maar de huidige regering. Daarbij vraag ik me af of het een pro-VS stap is, of een anti-EU. Ik weet nog niet zoveel van de lui die daar nu de macht hebben, maar krijg een beetje het idee dat het een combinatie van de PVV en SGP is die daar nu aan de macht is.
Hoezo SGP?
De SGP is gematigd positief tov de EU en ze zijn niet voor beperking van de persvrijheid zo ver ik weet
'The goal is world peace, and to do so you must have strength' Ronald Reagan

dudge

Citaat van: Elzenga op 04/02/2016 | 17:47 uur
Inderdaad... al zijn het misschien ook de lauwe reacties van andere EU lidstaten die hiertoe bijdragen en Polen weer meer doet focussen op de VS. Wat de VS denk ik gezien haar strategische belangen en buitenlands beleid terecht oppakt.

Niet zozeer Polen, maar de huidige regering. Daarbij vraag ik me af of het een pro-VS stap is, of een anti-EU. Ik weet nog niet zoveel van de lui die daar nu de macht hebben, maar krijg een beetje het idee dat het een combinatie van de PVV en SGP is die daar nu aan de macht is.

Micheltje

Citaat van: Elzenga op 04/02/2016 | 17:47 uur
Inderdaad... al zijn het misschien ook de lauwe reacties van andere EU lidstaten die hiertoe bijdragen en Polen weer meer doet focussen op de VS. Wat de VS denk ik gezien haar strategische belangen en buitenlands beleid terecht oppakt.

Een van de mogelijke drijfveren daar achter is onder andere het voorkomen van overlopen naar het Oosten

Elzenga

Citaat van: Thomasen op 04/02/2016 | 16:58 uur
Polen was hard op weg een belangrijke speler in het Europees veiligheidsbeleid te worden, een positie die ze, helaas, meer en meer verliezen.
Inderdaad... al zijn het misschien ook de lauwe reacties van andere EU lidstaten die hiertoe bijdragen en Polen weer meer doet focussen op de VS. Wat de VS denk ik gezien haar strategische belangen en buitenlands beleid terecht oppakt.

JdL

#87
Citaat van: Thomasen op 04/02/2016 | 16:58 uur
Polen was hard op weg een belangrijke speler in het Europees veiligheidsbeleid te worden, een positie die ze, helaas, meer en meer verliezen.
+1
Van mij mag NL een gedeelte van de Poolse order overnemen :big-smile:
'The goal is world peace, and to do so you must have strength' Ronald Reagan

dudge

Citaat van: Elzenga op 04/02/2016 | 16:06 uur
Geen verrassing gezien de recente politieke ontwikkelingen in Polen. Ik vind het een slechte beslissing waar Polen op termijn spijt van zal krijgen. Maar de huidige regering doet op dat vlak al meer dingen waar je je bedenkingen over kunt hebben. De Amerikanen kunnen hun verdeel-en-heers politiek op Europees defensiegebied verder versterken met deze waarschijnlijke order. Ik geef ze geen ongelijk!

Polen was hard op weg een belangrijke speler in het Europees veiligheidsbeleid te worden, een positie die ze, helaas, meer en meer verliezen.

Elzenga

Geen verrassing gezien de recente politieke ontwikkelingen in Polen. Ik vind het een slechte beslissing waar Polen op termijn spijt van zal krijgen. Maar de huidige regering doet op dat vlak al meer dingen waar je je bedenkingen over kunt hebben. De Amerikanen kunnen hun verdeel-en-heers politiek op Europees defensiegebied verder versterken met deze waarschijnlijke order. Ik geef ze geen ongelijk!

Harald

Poland scraps 3 billion USD Caracal deal    ( Geen Caracal , wel Black Hawks ..? )

Poland has decided to end negotiations with Airbus Helicopters about the planned purchase of fifty H225M combat search and rescue helicopters. The deal was worth 3 billion USD. Troubles over industrial offsets are likely to have caused to decision.

The news is a blow for Airbus Helicopters, but also to the Polish military which desperately seeks replacement of ageing Russian-made Mi-8 Hip helicopters. Poland is now likely to pursue an order for Sikorsky Black Hawk, a version of which was already produced in license in Poland.

Warsaw announced the selection of H225M in April 2015 after a lengthy selection proces. Other contender were the AgustaWestland AW149 and Sikorsky's S-70 Black Hawk. The latter will likely fly in Polish military service in the future.

http://airheadsfly.com/2016/02/04/poland-scraps-3-billion-usd-caracal-deal/

Sparkplug

Poland issues fresh threats over H225M order

By Dominic Perry, London | 26 January 2016

Poland's defence ministry has issued fresh threats to cancel a tentative deal with Airbus Helicopters for the supply of 50 H225M Caracal multi-role helicopters.

Quoted in the Rzeczpospolita newspaper, deputy minister of defence Bartosz Kownacki said both parties had until 10 February to reach an agreement over industrial offsets or the deal could be cancelled.

In April 2015 Warsaw selected the H225M for the tri-service order ahead of offers from PZL Mielec and PZL Swidnik, local subsidiaries of Sikorsky and AgustaWestland, respectively.

The 11t-class Caracal subsequently passed a series of flight evaluations with the nation's armed forces and negotiations with the defence ministry were successfully concluded, leaving only talks with the ministry of economy standing in the way of an acquisition.


Bartosz Glowacki

However, a change of government in October 2015 has thrown the deal into doubt. Poland's new defence minister, Antoni Macierewicz, has repeatedly criticised the H225's selection, particularly around a perceived lack of Polish industrial contribution to the programme.

Kownacki says at the start of negotiations the offset positions of the two sides were "almost completely divergent" and little has changed since.

If the two sides cannot reach agreement, he says, Poland would look to restart the tender. However it could be left facing claims for damages as a result, admits Kownacki.

Airbus Helicopters had promised to set up local design, production and maintenance facilities for the H225M, in partnership with Polish industry, creating around 1,200 jobs. Engine supplier Turbomeca had also pledged to expand its industrial footprint in the country.

"Negotiations have resumed on offsets and we remain committed to the development of industrial capabilities across Poland, notably in the cities of Radom, Dęblin and Łódź," says the manufacturer.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/poland-issues-fresh-threats-over-h225m-order-421252/
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Elzenga

Citaat van: Sparkplug op 30/12/2015 | 10:45 uur
Poland To Cut Caracal Order, Reconsider Black Hawk, AW149

By Jaroslaw Adamowski | December 29, 2015

WARSAW — Poland's Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz has announced plans to decrease the amount of the Caracal EC725 helicopters the country is to acquire from Airbus Helicopters. This would allow the ministry to also purchase Black Hawk and AW149 helos from Sikorsky and AgustaWestland, respectively.

.../...

Zie onderstaande link voor het complete artikel.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/12/29/poland-cut-caracal-order-reconsider-black-hawk-aw149/78039008/
Ik krijg de indruk dat het op meerdere vlakken de verkeerde kant op gaat met Polen dankzij deze nieuwe regering. Omstreden wet en aanpassingen, nu deze aanstaande beslissing... :(

Sparkplug

Citaat van: JdL op 30/12/2015 | 12:48 uur
Welke variant van de caracal zouden ze dan afschieten?
Als Polen ook de AW149 aanschaft, dan komt er i.i.g. minder van de H225M transport uitvoering. Zelfde geldt voor aanschaf van de UH-60 Black Hawk.

Polen zal met meer info moeten komen om echt uitsluitsel te kunnen geven.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

JdL

Citaat van: Sparkplug op 30/12/2015 | 10:45 uur
Poland To Cut Caracal Order, Reconsider Black Hawk, AW149

By Jaroslaw Adamowski | December 29, 2015

WARSAW — Poland's Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz has announced plans to decrease the amount of the Caracal EC725 helicopters the country is to acquire from Airbus Helicopters. This would allow the ministry to also purchase Black Hawk and AW149 helos from Sikorsky and AgustaWestland, respectively.

.../...

Zie onderstaande link voor het complete artikel.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/12/29/poland-cut-caracal-order-reconsider-black-hawk-aw149/78039008/
Welke variant van de caracal zouden ze dan afschieten?
'The goal is world peace, and to do so you must have strength' Ronald Reagan

Sparkplug

Poland To Cut Caracal Order, Reconsider Black Hawk, AW149

By Jaroslaw Adamowski | December 29, 2015

WARSAW — Poland's Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz has announced plans to decrease the amount of the Caracal EC725 helicopters the country is to acquire from Airbus Helicopters. This would allow the ministry to also purchase Black Hawk and AW149 helos from Sikorsky and AgustaWestland, respectively.

.../...

Zie onderstaande link voor het complete artikel.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/12/29/poland-cut-caracal-order-reconsider-black-hawk-aw149/78039008/
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Harald

Brazilian air force (FAB) Will Receive First Operational Variant of the H-36 Caracal In 2015;
New helicopter has self-defense system and can be refueled in flight


The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will receive the first operational variant of the H-36 Caracal helicopter before the end of 2015. The delivery date was guaranteed on Thursday (03/12) with the signing of an addendum to the helicopter purchase contract with the Airbus Helicopters / Helibras consortium. In all, the contract provides for the delivery of 50 helicopters for the three services.

The H-36 operational version will be the first helicopter in Latin America fitted with a probe for in-flight refueling. This capability is today available in Brazil only for fighter aircraft, and will increase the radius of action for missions such as rescue of people at sea.

According to Colonel Valter Borges Malta, project manager at the Coordinating Committee of the Programme of Combat Aircraft (COPAC), the basic version of the helicopter, already used by the military, has been positively assessed in operation. "It meets the requirements established by the staffs of the three forces," he said.

The president of Helibras, Eduardo Marson, stressed the Caracal's importance for the country. "The signing of this addendum is a win-win situation for us both, as we have as ultimate goal the development of our capabilities, of the in-country supply chain, and of the aviation industry as well as of the armed forces," he said. The helicopters are assembled at the company's headquarters in Itajubá (MG state).

Today, there are already 19 Caracals in service in Brazil: 7 with the Navy, five each with the Army and air force, and two with the Presidency. The remaining 31 helicopters will be delivered by 2022. Still in 2015, in addition to the first operational helicopter for the air force, another two will be delivered to the Army.

In addition to the in-flight refueling probe, the operational version for the air force comprises sensors -- such as the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Laser Warning System (LWS) and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) – which are able to detect the presence of enemy radars and missiles. Also part of the electronic countermeasures package are encrypted communications, an infrared camera and other equipment.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/169545/brazil-af-to-receive-first-combat-sar-caracal-helicopter.html